Yussuf ensures it’s no go for Diego

CRAWLEY spoiled Morecambe’s welcoming party for new owner Diego Lemos at the Globe Arena.

The Brazilian, who took over as the Shrimps’ major shareholder this week, watched on as his side went down to a third successive home defeat in a five-goal thriller.

Crawley boss Dermot Drummy was a happy man though as his side picked up a second successive win.

“It was an exciting game, a very open game in the end, and to come out on top against a very strong and well-organised side was excellent,” he said.

“You need a lot of character in this league and we showed that in abundance.

“We are tying to get an attractive brand of football here and play an entertaining game and although we tried that in the first half it wasn’t always paying off and we were a bit sloppy. I just told the lads to stay calm at the break and stick together and they did that.

“To get three goals was really impressive and I was impressed with all the lads. It is hard to single anyone out really, which is great, Adi Yussuf came off the bench and made a real difference and I’m delighted for him.

“He’s a great lad and I was really impressed with him, but the rest of the lads deserve a huge amount of credit. We had to do a lot of defending and we did that well until the end of and showed great spirit and togetherness.”

Morecambe boss Jim Bentley was left fuming at his side’s defending and a decision to rule out an effort from Peter Murphy for offside early in the second half.

Bentley said: “We thought at the time it was onside and we have seen the video and he is two yards onside. It was a shocking decision and it has cost us dearly. “This was one of those games where the first goal was always going to make a massive difference and if the goal had been given, like it should have been, that would have been the case.

“Having said that some of our defending in the second half was shocking and we have to get that right.

“Last season our defending was our Achilles heel and I’m seeing some bad signs in that area again. We need to sort that out.”

Crawley took the points after goals from Yussuf and James Collins put them ahead in the late stages before Michael Rose pulled one back.

Jimmy Smith made it 3-2 on 90 minutes before a Cole Stockton stunner deep into injury-time reduced the arrears, but Crawley held on for the three points.